LOS ANGELES _ The Los Angeles Lakers called a news conference Monday to introduce their new coach. But what Frank Vogel had to say was minimized hours before he ever uttered a word.
Magic Johnson eviscerated Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka in particular, and the Lakers' power structure in general, in comments he made on the ESPN show "First Take" and again in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in the hours leading up to the media event.
Johnson cited "backstabbing and whispering" among the reasons he resigned as the Lakers' president of basketball operations last month. Monday morning, he identified Pelinka as "who I was talking about when I said backstabber."
The Lakers icon, a perennial All-Star in his playing days, also criticized Jeanie Buss, the team's controlling owner, saying she was allowing too many people to influence her decision making.
"If the Lakers are going to be successful from here on out _ and this is really crucial _ first, Jeanie can't be emotionally tied to anybody," Johnson told the Times. "You can always appreciate them and like them, but you can't let that get in the way of firing someone or trade a player."
The final straw, Johnson said, was what happened when he made it known he wanted to fire Luke Walton as coach. He said Buss agreed at first, but then involved Tim Harris, the Lakers' president of business operations. Harris argued to keep Walton.
"I only really answer to Jeanie Buss and now I have Tim involved," Johnson said. "It's time for me to go."
Johnson said he had also learned Pelinka was badmouthing him about not working from the office, when they actually had a prearranged agreement that Johnson wouldn't always come in.
Neither Buss nor Harris spoke at the news conference, which was held at the team's headquarters in El Segundo. Pelinka appeared with Vogel, answering questions about the hiring process, his new role as the Lakers' top basketball executive, and about Johnson's comments. It was the first time since Johnson's resignation on April 9 that any member of the Lakers' front office publicly addressed the team's hierarchy.
"These things are surprising to hear and disheartening, but I look forward to the opportunity to talk with him and sit down with him and work through them just like in any relationship," Pelinka said of Johnson's comments. "They're just simply not true."
Like Johnson, Pelinka _ Kobe Bryant's onetime agent _ had never worked in an NBA front office before the Lakers hired him. He was paired with Johnson on Bryant's recommendation.
Johnson said he had no issue with Pelinka being heavily involved in the Lakers' basketball decisions, but that "everybody else around the organization has got to stay out of the way."
He specifically mentioned Harris, younger Buss siblings Jesse and Joey, team executive Linda Rambis and her husband, Kurt, an adviser.
"That's what's hurting the Lakers," Johnson said to the Times. "... Tim Harris, you got to run the business. I'm sorry, but you can think you know basketball, but you really don't. ... Jesse, continue to be assistant general manager and a scout. ... Joey, run the G-League, the South Bay Lakers (a developmental affiliate). ... So whatever role Kurt has, that's his role. Whatever role Linda has, that's her role.
"Define roles and everybody got to stay in that lane. ... You can't make good decisions because you got six, eight voices and everybody thinks their strategy is the right one. You can't have that."
